The record label will play a big role in the movie, which follows Jackson’s rise to fame, first as a member of the Jackson 5 and then as a solo singer. “Power” star Tate (who, by chance, played Quincy Jones, the producer of “Thriller” in 2004’s “Ray”) plays Gordy, the Motown mogul who changed American music by putting together groups like the Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and Diana Ross & the Supremes.
Graham (“Love in the Villa,” Tyler Perry’s upcoming “Black, White & Blue”) plays Ross, who was asked to publicly introduce the Jackson 5 to the world as lead singer of the hit band and was a big influence on Michael Jackson throughout his life.
The Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International project also has new actors: Jessica Sula (“Split”) as Michael’s older sister La Toya Jackson; Liv Symone (“Power Book III: Raising Kanan”) as Gladys Knight; Kevin Shinick (“Robot Chicken”) as Dick Clark; KeiLyn Durrel Jones (“The Other Two,” “How to Die Alone”) as Jackson’s former security guard turned trusted friend and confidante Bill Bray; and Kendrick Sampson (“Insecure”) as Quincy Jones, an important figure in the music business. They worked together on three of Michael’s most popular albums: “Off the Wall” (1979), “Thriller” (1982), and “Bad” (1987).
A lot of new stars have been added to Antoine Fuqua’s film “Michael,” which is currently in production. Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson will play his uncle in the movie for the first time, and 9-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi will play the King of Pop from his early days in the Jackson 5.
Colman Domingo and Nia Long will play Joe and Katherine Jackson, who are in charge of their family. John Branca, Jackson’s lawyer and advisor, will be played by Miles Teller. Eight actors will play Jackson’s siblings in two different time periods. Variety originally reported that Laura Harrier will play Suzanne de Passe, a groundbreaking female music executive.
The movie, which is made by Graham King of GK Films (“Bohemian Rhapsody”), will be in cinemas on April 18, 2025. John Logan wrote the story and has been nominated for three Oscars. Jackson’s oldest son, Prince Jackson, is working on set with the directors and actors to help his brothers.
“I’m thrilled that we were able to get such a great group of actors to work on this,” King said in a press statement. “What they bring to these important roles gives the movie a rich background, adding to the amazing ensemble.”
There was also a new summary with the release, which for the first time talks about Jackson’s “accusations”:
“Michael” will give viewers an honest and gripping look at the smart but difficult man who became known around the world as the King of Pop. This epic, cinematic film will look at Jackson’s successes and tragedies, from his personal life to the accusations and the constant scrutiny from the media, even when he was at the top of his career. The all-star filmmaking team will also catch Michael’s undeniable creative genius by making new versions of his most famous and memorable roles. People will get to see one of the most important and innovative artists the world has ever known from the inside like never before.